[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 87 (Friday, May 8, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING IOWA'S BLOOD BANKS AND VOLUNTEERS AS IOWANS OF THE WEEK

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 8, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the men and women working and 
volunteering across Iowa to maintain a critical component of our health 
care system: blood donation. Whether they're blood center employees or 
volunteer blood donors, these individuals are quite literally rolling 
up their sleeves to make a difference in their communities during the 
coronavirus outbreak. For that commitment, it is my honor to celebrate 
each and every one of them as Iowan of the Week.
  The Surgeon General of the United States, Jerome Adams, recently 
called upon the public, especially Millennials and Gen Z, to consider 
donating blood during this crisis. He and the FDA reiterated that blood 
donation is safe and blood centers have been taking extra precautions 
to adhere to new CDC guidelines by spacing beds at least six feet 
apart, disinfecting surfaces between patient visits, temperature 
checking the staff, conducting additional screening of donors, and 
encouraging advance scheduling of appointments.
  I join the Surgeon General and FDA in calling upon healthy, eligible 
Iowans to continue donating blood to maintain a safe, stable, and 
adequate community blood supply. Since COVID-19 began to spread in our 
country, thousands of blood drives have been cancelled and blood center 
donations have slowed significantly, resulting in several hundred 
thousand fewer blood donations nationwide. Without increased donor 
turnout, the United States will soon face a serious blood shortage.
  When disaster strikes or we find ourselves in the midst of a public 
health crisis like the coronavirus outbreak, it is the blood on the 
shelves that saves lives. It's part of our nation's readiness to face 
this challenge head on. Not only are health care professionals caring 
for those affected by COVID-19, but they're also still working 24/7 
caring for cancer patients, trauma victims, and those in need of 
surgery. The need for blood is constant. One standard donation--an act 
that takes a few minutes--can save up to three lives and helps maintain 
the community blood supply.
  Donated blood is an essential part of caring for patients, and every 
blood center in the country is affected by this pandemic. I encourage 
every healthy, eligible Iowan to make an appointment to donate blood at 
their local blood center in the coming weeks. Remember: it is safe to 
donate blood; blood centers are taking every precaution to protect 
Workers and donors; there have been no reported or suspected cases of 
transfusion-transmitted COVID-19; and donating blood will not lower 
your immune system. It's normal to feel fear during this time of 
uncertainty, but Iowans can be sure their blood donation will make a 
positive impact in our fight against this disease.
  I applaud our local blood center employees at places like LifeServe 
who are putting their community first by still going into work each 
day; their dedication and bravery in the face of coronavirus is 
inspiring. I also applaud local blood donors who, by no exaggeration, 
are saving the lives of their neighbors in need. Both are nothing short 
of heroic, and it is my honor to recognize them as Iowans of the Week.

                          ____________________